Stories

Sort

Lt Fred C Ritger, 321stBG,446thBS, B-25 Pilot /MTO, WW II

1944
—Italy

Frederic C Ritger was born in NJ in 1921, he had completed High School and finished one year of College, he was a Photographer. Fred joined the Service 26 May, 1941 and he entered from New York City, NY. He was accepted into the AAC and was still single when he joinrd.

Fred received a great part of his flight training with the 335th Bomb Group, the 476th BS, which was in B-26 Marauders at Barksdale Field, LA. The 335th Bombardment Group (Medium) took over training duties as a permanent Operational Training Unit (OTU) on July 17, 1942 with Martin B-26 Marauders.

He was assigned to the 321st Bomb Group and the 446th Bomb Squadron for B-25 Mitchells in the MTO.

Fred Ritger (1921-2005)

My uncle Fred died Friday night, September 2, 2005 after battling against his failing health for the past several years. I affectionately knew him as "Uncle Rotten", a nickname that according to one story my cousin Laura had given him during one of our many wrestling matches where Fred would take on 6-7 of his nieces and nephews at once...and win. Fred was a member of America's 'greatest generation' and a true American hero as a bomber pilot in World War II.

Fredrick C Ritger, B-25 Pilot, 321st BG, 446th BS/MTO

On a really FUN note, Fred's 2nd cousin is John Ritger, and John's son "Lynn Ritger" is taking the time to help with the WW II Research of his relative. Lynn and Debi Ritger LOVE airplanes, and are into the WW II Theme :) They attend the "Hanger Dance" and here are a few photo's of them dressed in authentic WW II dress. Lynn is also making up an authentic Flight Jacket with Fred's 321st Bomb Group, 446th Bomb Squadron Emblems, B-25 Mitchells, Fred was a Pilot, 58 Combat Missions in the MTO / WW II.